2024苗栗最熱門景點：白沙屯拱天宮

Baishatun Gongtian Temple: Miaoli's Top Attraction (苗栗白沙屯拱天宮：最受歡迎景點)

Vocabulary and Grammar (字彙與文法)

temple n. [ˋtɛmp!] 寺廟

A building where people pray to a god or gods. (人們向神明祈禱的建築物。)

Gongtian Temple is very famous in Miaoli. (拱天宮在苗栗非常有名。)

important adj. [ɪmˋpɔrtnt] 重要的

Having great value or significance. (具有重大價值或意義的。)

This is a very important temple for many people. (這對許多人來說是一座非常重要的寺廟。)

famous adj. [ˋfeməs] 有名的

Known about by many people. (被許多人所知道的。)

The temple is famous for its pilgrimage. (這座寺廟以其繞境活動聞名。)

pilgrimage n. [ˋpɪlgrəmɪdʒ] 朝聖；繞境

A long journey made to a holy place for religious reasons. (出於宗教原因前往聖地的長途旅行。)

Many people join the Mazu pilgrimage every year. (每年都有許多人參加媽祖繞境。)

statue n. [ˋstætʃʊ] 雕像；塑像

A figure of a person or animal usually made of stone or metal. (通常由石頭或金屬製成的人或動物形象。)

They walk with the Mazu statue. (他們隨著媽祖神像行走。)

visitor n. [ˋvɪzɪtɚ] 參觀者；遊客

Someone who visits a place or person. (參觀某地或拜訪某人的人。)

The temple had almost 4 million visitors in 2024. (這座寺廟在2024年有將近400萬名遊客。)

rank n. [ræŋk] 等級；排名 v. 排名

A position in an ordered group. (在有序群體中的位置。)

The temple holds the top rank for visitors in Miaoli. (這座寺廟在苗栗的遊客排名中位居榜首。)

local adj. [ˋlok!] 當地的；本地的

Relating to a particular area or neighborhood. (與特定區域或鄰近地區有關的。)

You can try delicious local food near the temple. (你可以在寺廟附近品嚐美味的當地食物。)

culture n. [ˋkʌltʃɚ] 文化

The customs, arts, way of life, etc., of a particular country or group. (特定國家或群體的習俗、藝術、生活方式等。)

Visiting the temple is a good way to experience Taiwanese culture. (參觀寺廟是體驗台灣文化的好方法。)

attraction n. [əˋtrækʃən] 景點；吸引人的事物

Something interesting or enjoyable to see or do. (有趣或令人愉快可看可做的事物。)

It was Miaoli's most popular tourist attraction. (它是苗栗最受歡迎的旅遊景點。)

Introduction

Baishatun Gongtian Temple (白沙屯拱天宮) is a very well-known and important temple located in Miaoli County, Taiwan. It is especially famous for a special religious event involving the sea goddess Mazu (媽祖). This event attracts huge crowds, making the temple a top destination.

Reading (閱讀)

Baishatun Gongtian Temple holds great significance for many people in Taiwan. Its biggest claim to fame is the annual Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage. This is a special long walk where many thousands of believers follow a statue of the goddess Mazu from Gongtian Temple to another temple in Yunlin County and back. This journey takes many days and covers hundreds of kilometers, showing deep religious devotion.

Because of its importance and the famous pilgrimage, Baishatun Gongtian Temple attracts a very large number of visitors throughout the year. In fact, in 2024, it was the most visited tourist attraction in all of Miaoli County. Records show that about 3,930,000 people visited the temple that year!

To put that number in perspective, the second most popular place in Miaoli was Shang Shun World (尚順育樂世界), an entertainment park, with about 3,310,000 visitors. The third was Shitoushan Scenic Area (獅頭山風景區), known for its nature and temples, with 2,100,000 visitors. Other popular spots included Sanyi Wood Sculpture Street and Longfeng Fishing Port, but Gongtian Temple had the highest visitor count by far.

When you visit the area around Baishatun Gongtian Temple, you can do more than just visit the temple itself. Many people come to pray to Mazu for blessings. Outside the temple, the streets are often busy and lively. There are numerous food stalls selling delicious local snacks and food. Visiting the temple and its surroundings is a wonderful way to experience Taiwanese religious culture and enjoy tasty local treats.

Questions (問題)

Q: What is Baishatun Gongtian Temple most famous for?

A: It is most famous for its annual walking pilgrimage with the Mazu statue.

Q: Approximately how many people visited Baishatun Gongtian Temple in 2024?

A: Approximately 3,930,000 people visited the temple in 2024.

Q: Besides visiting the temple, what else can people do nearby?

A: People can pray, enjoy local food from food stalls, and experience Taiwanese culture.

Discussion (討論)

Q: Why do you think so many people participate in the long Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage walk? (你認為為什麼這麼多人參加漫長的白沙屯媽祖繞境步行？)

A: I think people join to show their strong belief in Mazu, to pray for health or luck for their families, or maybe it's a tradition they follow every year. It could also be a special experience to walk together with so many other people who share the same faith. (我認為人們參加是為了表達對媽祖的虔誠信仰，為家人祈求健康或好運，或者也許是他們每年都遵循的傳統。與這麼多有相同信仰的人一起行走也可能是一種特別的體驗。)

Q: The list shows different kinds of attractions (temple, entertainment park, scenic area, etc.). What type of attraction do you usually prefer to visit? Why? (列表顯示了不同種類的景點（寺廟、遊樂園、風景區等）。你通常比較喜歡參觀哪種類型的景點？為什麼？)

A: I usually prefer visiting scenic areas or places with nature, like mountains or beaches. I find being outdoors relaxing, and I enjoy beautiful views and fresh air more than crowded places or historical sites. (我通常比較喜歡參觀風景區或有大自然的地方，像是山區或海灘。我覺得待在戶外很放鬆，而且比起擁擠的地方或歷史古蹟，我更喜歡美麗的風景和新鮮的空氣。)

Conclusion (結論)

Baishatun Gongtian Temple is a highly significant religious site in Miaoli, Taiwan. It is renowned for its large-scale Mazu pilgrimage, which draws millions of participants and visitors. Its status as Miaoli's most visited attraction in 2024 highlights its cultural importance and popularity, offering visitors a chance to pray, enjoy local food, and experience vibrant Taiwanese traditions.